I was made a decent offer on my Silverado yesterday...never thought I would sell it, but the gas mileage sucks, it isn't the Z71, just the 4X4 package...pretty much a work truck that was sweet in school, not so much now. I am thinking about getting a 4 wheel drive mid size SUV, my S&S was previously towed by a mini van so I'm not worried about a V6 midsize getting in done, but would love to hear what you guys use to tow the boat, especially those without fullsize trucks, I can't afford to put gas in the truck at marina prices for the fuel.

erkoehler

04-04-2006, 11:29 AM

I use a Dodge Durango :(

mrcrowson

04-04-2006, 11:40 AM

I own a 2005 4Runner Sport Edition 4X4 with the V8... IT PULLS GREAT!! Would highly recommend the V8. I also own a 2002 V6 Tacoma PreRunner. You definitely know the X7 is back there.
Good luck with your hunt.

jraben8

04-04-2006, 12:07 PM

At one point I pulled my 87 ProStar w/ a 97 4-Runner. It was the V6 and it was adequate. I did have to put stiffer springs under the truck but if you weren't in a hurry it pulled fine. I did know it was back there but the trailer brakes never worked either. (Original brakes were replaced at 91K and were not completely shot).

I now pull my OB SportStar with a 01 Expedition. No comparison.

east tx skier

04-04-2006, 12:18 PM

I'm using an 01 expedition with the 5.4L now. I added a transmission cooler and stiffer shocks in the rear and it tows beautifully. I have made some trips pre exped towing with my wife's 6 cyl 97 explorer. It did fine, even on the long hauls. The problem was not so much the power, but little things like wheelbase, braking, weight versus the boat, etc. It towed my boat happily, but I don't prefer it. I did it recently for a short trip after having thoughts of ditching the exped altogether. At close to 220k miles on the explorer, I quickly decided to keep the expedition.

MarkP

04-04-2006, 01:13 PM

OMG, Dont go with the Explorer!!http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/spezial/Christz/Christz_bumm.gif

east tx skier

04-04-2006, 02:38 PM

Yeah, Mark, yours isn't the only (04 was it?) that I heard of having transmission issues. My sister's 04 Lincoln Aviator had weird transmission issues that had to be fixed under warranty. But for all the roll overs in my wife's expoder's era, I can't argue with 220k miles with minimal maintenance apart from the routine stuff.

Mag_Red

04-04-2006, 02:51 PM

Richard, just wondering what you got for your Silverado? I have a 99 x-cab 4x4 with 131,000 completely trouble free miles. Still looks brand new, no rust, uphostery not worn ect. Are our trucks close?

Mag_Red

04-04-2006, 02:55 PM

Just to add.........pre Mastercraft days.......I would pull a 18' Wellcraft 200 miles to lake Cumberland with a '95 Toyota T-100 four banger/ 5 speed manual. That truck pulled like a champ! No problems even on the hills of Kentucky. :steering:

jbfootin

04-04-2006, 03:50 PM

I am a GM person and you do not have Tahoe or Trailblazer or Suburban as a choice :rant: There for I am walking out of the polls without voting on this election Tuesday!

OSUspenc99

04-04-2006, 04:09 PM

Yeah i know guys laugh at me but i pulled my 84 S&S behind a 2000 chevy blazer with a v6 195 horsepower. It did well i thought but i wanted a new car so i just got a 03 trailblazer with about 100 more horsepower (v6 275 horses) than my old one and i think that it is going to be the best pull yet. Go with Chevy!

JLeuck64

04-04-2006, 04:31 PM

For many years I pulled a CC Nautique with an 87 2WD Toyota truck with a manual transmission! Had to leave the boat in forward gear and add a little throttle just to get off the ramp! I wouldn't recomend that set up to anyone.

Now days I pull with a Tundra. Weight ratio is much better and the mileage is tolerable. It'll get somewhere in the teens towing (if I am careful) and sometimes I even get 20 when I am not towing (again, if I am careful).

firstmc

04-04-2006, 04:36 PM

I have an 03 Land Rover Discovery.. its an awesome vehicle. You can get them used with about 25-40K miles on them with a 75K warranty(from a LR dealer) for around $20-$25K. Very high quality vehicle. Can put my 140lb Great Dane in the back without even putting the seats down. Love it!

richardsoncd

04-04-2006, 04:38 PM

I am a GM person and you do not have Tahoe or Trailblazer or Suburban as a choice :rant: There for I am walking out of the polls without voting on this election Tuesday!

My bad JB...the point is to downsize, and Trailblazers aren't cheap.

richardsoncd

04-04-2006, 04:42 PM

Richard, just wondering what you got for your Silverado? I have a 99 x-cab 4x4 with 131,000 completely trouble free miles. Still looks brand new, no rust, uphostery not worn ect. Are our trucks close?

I have the 2000 regular cab 4x4 with 113,000 on it...trouble free. It is long bed, with 305 85's on it. It is the work truck so it doesnt' have power windows or locks. I'll PM you when I finally settle on a price with the guy. My girlfriends (of 4 years) dad is giving me a great deal on a 98 Grand Cherokee with less than 65K on it, he just wants it out of the garage...plus it will mean no payments which equals I save and marry his daughter faster, buy the house...etc. etc. Little does he know it means I might get a new ski a bit sooner than I thought, then the ring and house.

sanddragon2004

04-05-2006, 12:22 PM

get an old dodge diesel!

any year from 94-present!

double the milage while towing of any of the mentioned vehicles! and twice the service life!

500k miles between engine overhauls!

seriously get 16-20mpg towing the mastercraft.

commuting to work i can get 20-28mpg cruising at 55-65mph.

TMCNo1

04-08-2006, 07:14 AM

Gonna keep the old '88 Chevrolet Astro Van, with 4.3 L V6, 160 hp, 3:73 positraction, 4spd automatic, factory 6000lb rated trailer towing package, cause it has only 56,500.1 miles on it, and has got 15.4 miles per gallon average while towing the boat 29,912 miles. :steering: :dance: :smile:

jimmer2880

04-08-2006, 09:08 AM

Gonna keep the old '88 Chevrolet Astro Van, with 4.3 L V6, 160 hp, 3:73 positraction, 4spd automatic, factory 6000lb rated trailer towing package, cause it has only 56,500.1 miles on it, and has got 15.4 miles per gallon average while towing the boat 29,912 miles. :steering: :dance: :smile:

Wow - that is incredibly low miles. Speaking form experience here - be sure you take it for a drive once a month. I bought an 88 with 76k on it. Bearings went out 6 months later. The oil pan was rusting from the INSIDE out. Puppy sat for a good while at some point without being ran. My mechanic said he had that happen to his "plow truck" also. It would sit for 6 months straight every year.

go with a jeep cherokee 4.0 liter 6 cylinder. thats what i am going to get when i sell my tacoma 2.4 liter 4 banger.

Workin' 4 Toys

04-10-2006, 03:35 PM

Given the choices provided, my vote is for #1, #5 or #6.

Mi.mc

06-03-2006, 01:12 PM

i use a 1949 farmall c tractor w/ a 13 hp motor... where's the choice for that?

but if those are all your choices i'd say cheap out and go for the last one

billr

07-07-2006, 09:38 AM

Or a GMC Yukon.

bdecker

07-07-2006, 09:49 AM

You may not save $1 on gas by going mid-sized. Just sold my 2001 Pathfinder, which was a great truck but an absolute pig on gas. Lucky to get 18 on premium, whereas my Yukon Denali doesn't even know the boats there and gets 17-19 highway, 15 around town on the cheapest stuff I can but. The Yukon tows great, I actually prefer it to the F350 Superduty Diesel that I typically tow with. At $3+/gallon, we seem to be taking my wife's VW TDI everywhere (46 MPG).